Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks axed from BBC2 after 18 years

Space is being created for new entertainment shows after 28 series

Jess Denham
Wednesday 27 May 2015 04:25 EDT
Comments
Never Mind the Buzzcocks first launched back in 1996
Never Mind the Buzzcocks first launched back in 1996 (Rex Features)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Comedy quiz show Never Mind the Buzzcocks has been cancelled after 18 years.

BBC Two has axed the long-running panel series, which pitted two teams against each other to test their pop knowledge and first began in 1996.

The channel's controller Kim Shillinglaw and BBC entertainment controller Mark Linsey are understood to have made the decision to end Never Mind the Buzzcocks after its dropping ratings failed to improve, Broadcast reports.

Rhod Gilbert hosted the 28th and final series, which averaged 1.1 million viewers and was down on the 2013 run.

"After 28 series we've decided not to bring Never Mind the Buzzcocks back to the BBC. This will create space for new entertainment formats in the future," a BBC spokesperson said.

Reaction to the news has been mixed on social media, with some bemoaning the loss of the show...

Previous host Simon Amstell left Never Mind the Buzzcocks in 2009 while Mark Lamar had kicked things off when the show launched.

There have been a massive 269 episodes, with Phill Jupitus, Sean Hughes, Bill Bailey and Noel Fielding among the best known team captains.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in